Classical and Biblical Allusions in Macbeth
A1-S2: Expect they meant to bathe in reeking wounds / Or memorize another Golgotha, / I cannot tell (39-41)
Golgotha in Jerusalem was the site of Christ’s crucifixion; a memorable scene of bloodshed and death.
A1-S2: Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapp’d in proof, / Confronted him with self-comparisons (54-55)
Bellona is the Roman goddess of war; Macbeth fights so valiantly that he is worthy to be her husband.
A2-S1: Witchcraft celebrates / Pale Hecate’s off’rings (51-52)
Hecate is the Greek goddess of witchcraft; Macbeth embraces the dark power of the night.
A2-S1: With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design / Moves like a ghost (55-56)
Tarquin raped Lucretia, the wife of a Roman consul, during the night; Shakespeare links Murder with the ‘stealthy’ rape.
A2-S2: Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? (63-64)
Neptune is the Roman god of the sea; Macbeth wonders if all the water in the ocean will be enough to wash the blood away.
A2-S3: Approach the chamber and destroy your sight / With a new Gorgon (68-69)
In Greek mythology, the Gorgon Medusa turned those who looked at her into stone; the Duncan’s body is an equally horrific sight.
A3-S1: My genius is rebuk’d, as it is said / Mark Antony’s was by Caesar (57-58)
Mark Antony was told that he would not defeat Caesar; Macbeth sees himself as Mark Antony and Banquo as Caesar.
A4-S3: Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell (22)
Lucifer, the ‘brightest’ angel, rebelled against God; Macbeth was a brave and noble (‘bright’) warrior, but rebelled against Duncan.
A5-S8: Why should I play the Roman fool and die / On my own sword? (1-2)
Roman soldiers were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender; Macbeth vows to continue fighting.
A5-S8: Turn, hell-hound, turn (1)
In Greek mythology, a three-headed dog called Cerberus guards the entrance to Hades; Macduff calls Macbeth a monster.